No fewer than 66,691 students have applied for the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFund) across universities in Nigeria since February 1, according to data obtained from the agency’s portal.
The increase followed the extension of the 2025/2026 application deadline from January 31 to February 27. The agency had earlier announced that the deadline was extended to allow more students enough time to complete and submit their applications.
Akintunde Sawyerr, managing director of NELFund, said the decision was driven by inclusivity and the need to ensure that every qualified student has equal access to the loan scheme.
“This extension reflects our commitment to inclusivity and access. We understand that some applicants may require additional time to complete their submissions, and this decision ensures that every eligible Nigerian student has a fair opportunity to benefit from the Fund,” he said.
As of January 31, when the initial deadline ended, total applications stood at 1,532,552. Over the next 12 days, the figure rose to 1,599,243, showing an increase of 66,691 new applications.
During the same period, the Fund disbursed about N9.3 billion to students, raising total disbursement from N175 billion on February 1 to N184 billion as of Thursday. The funds covered institutional fees and upkeep allowances.
According to Sawyerr, about 1.5 million students across 265 institutions have so far received disbursements from NELFund.
Recently, concerns emerged after reports that some final-year students were barred from examinations despite claims that their tuition fees had been paid through the Fund.
Speaking on Tuesday during an interview on Arise Television, Sawyerr said NELFund was actively engaging institutions such as the University of Benin (UNIBEN) and Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) to address verification and disbursement delays. He stressed that student welfare remains the agency’s top priority.
He explained that while NELFund is committed to swift disbursement, government funding requires strict institutional processes to prevent misappropriation. On verification delays, Sawyerr added that institutions must confirm beneficiary lists before funds are released.
